The National Women's Soccer League wrapped up an exciting weekend of playoffs, with all of the league's top four teams advancing to the semifinals. INDIVISA takes a look at how the quarterfinals played out, and makes predictions ahead of the upcoming games.
.jpg?auto=webp&format=pjpg&width=3840&quality=60)
ImagnNWSL Playoffs: Top four teams, including Orlando Pride and Washington Spirit, advance to semifinals
ImagnNWSL quarterfinal: Orlando Pride vs. Chicago Red Stars
The Orlando Pride earned their first playoff win, defeating the Red Stars 4-1 on Friday led by a brace from Barbra Banda.
The Pride continue to show just how good they are, not just beating Chicago, but dominating with four goals and having 27 shots to the Red Stars' 10. The Pride earned the 2024 NWSL Shield and will continue their quest for the NWSL Championship. The Pride's next match is on Sunday vs. Kansas City Current.
Final score: Orlando Pride 4, Chicago Red Stars 1
ImagnNWSL quarterfinal: Kansas City Current vs. North Carolina Courage
Kansas City Current and the North Carolina Courage played evenly, but ventually, and very quickly, it was the Current who got the board to beat the Courage 1-0, and advance to the semifinals. Golden Boot winner Temwa Chawinga put the Current on the board in just the eighth minute, and with the win the Current will advance to the semifinals on Sunday vs. the Orlando Pride.
Final score: Kansas City Current 1, North Carolina Courage 0
ImagnNWSL quarterfinal: Washington Spirit vs. Bay FC
The Washington Spirit defeated Bay FC in an overtime thriller. Bay FC made the first strike in the second half, and then the Spirit soon after equalized. The game went into extra time, and in the 96th minute the Spirit forced a Bay FC own goal. The Spirit will advance to the semifinals where they will host NJ/NY Gotham FC on Saturday.
Final score: Washington Spirit 2, Bay FC 1
ImagnNWSL quarterfinal: NJ/NY Gotham FC vs. Portland Thorns
NJ/NY Gotham FC defeated Portland Thorns 2-1 at Red Bull Arena on Sunday afternoon. It was Rose Lavelle's 97th minute strike that secured Gotham a spot into the semifinals.
Final score: Gotham FC 2, Portland Thorns 1
ImagnNWSL semifinals: Washington Spirit vs. Gotham FC
On Saturday, the No. 2 seed Washington Spirit will host the No. 4 seed Gotham FC at Audi Field. Last year, Gotham FC were the 2023 NWSL Champions, and the Spirit will enter this weekend's matchup buzzing after their 2-1 extra time win over Bay FC.
Based off seeding, the Spirit may have the upper hand against Gotham, but if there's one thing for certain both sides are offensive threats and are brilliant in transitions. The Spirit can score clutch goals, and so can Gotham.
ImagnNWSL semifinals: Orlando Pride vs. Kansas City Current
On Sunday, top seed and NWSL Shield winners the Orlando Pride will host No. 2 seed Kansas City Current. The Pride have swept just about every award known to woman this season - that is besides the Golden Boot, which was awarded to Current's Chawinga.
It's going to be a battle, with the Pride disciplined defensively and brave offensively and the Current organized in the midfield and threatening up top.
Advertisement